Albertans share stories of financial hardships, receive rewards

A province-wide campaign is asking Albertans for stories about their finances, and giving them cash in return.

The Unexpected Expenses campaign is doing this to raise awareness for financial literacy month, which happens across Canada every November.

Albertans share stories of their unexpected expenses over social media, and every day of the month, one story is awarded a $500 emergency savings account.

According to Jenny Leong-Huxley, one of the organizers behind the Unexpected Expenses campaign, people from all walks of life are sharing their stories.

“A lot of the stories have been family-related, so kids and houses. But then there have also been students (sharing stories),” she said. “And then we have a few stories from people who have really understood what it is to struggle in life.”

She said some people have shared heart-wrenching stories, where one bad things is followed by another, but others are more humourous.

Leong-Huxley added, organizers didn’t expect the campaign to have the kind of response it’s recieved.

“We’ve had entries from all over the province. We’ve even had a couple from as far as the States,” she said, adding the ones from across the border are not eligible for the prize. “It’s been interesting to see how far-reaching our messages have got. I can tell you from the stories that it ranges from all over.”

Those looking for more information, or who want to share their own stories of financial woes, can visit the campaign’s website.